Gonorrhea colloquially known as the clap is an STD commonly caused due to infection caused by the bacteria called Neisseria Gonorrhea. It is a common infection that often causes no signs or symptoms.
Oral Gonorrhea in very rare cases exhibits symptoms, The bacterial infection then establishes itself in the pharynx and is usually in the asymptomatic state. But when it does, it shows, the affected throat resembles strep throat-like symptoms with redness and occasional white spots or whitish/yellow discharge. So it is difficult to know if you have Oral Gonorrhea or strep throat.
There are few ways one could differentiate between Gonorrhea against Strep Throat. They are as follows.
Oral Gonorrhea vs Strep throat: Clearing the confusion
Often symptoms of Oral Gonorrhea are found to be similar to that of Strep throat. Even though this may look similar to a certain level, there is a stark difference between the two. The difference between Oral Gonorrhea and Strep throat is as follows
| Sr No | Gonorrhea | Strep Throat | |
|
1 |
Definition | Happens due to the infection caused by the bacteria called Neisseria gonorrhea | Strep throat is a bacterial infection of the throat and tonsils caused by group A streptococcus |
|
2 |
Causing agent | The etiologic agent that is responsible for the disease Gonorrhea is Neisseria gonorrhoeae | Spyogenes |
|
3 |
Cell wall type | Gram-Negative | Gram-Positive |
|
4 |
Symptoms | Resembling strep throat with redness and occasionally may have some white spots or whitish/yellow discharge. | Pus on tonsils, sore throat, and red rash at the back of the mouth, often swollen lymph nodes in the jaw or neck |
|
5 |
Diagnosis | NAAT is a molecular test that detects the genetic material (DNA) of Neisseria gonorrhoeae | Tests for the antigen of bacterium |
|
6 |
Risk factor |
|
|
|
7 |
If left untreated | It can also spread to the blood and cause disseminated gonococcal infection (DGI). DGI can cause arthritis, tenosynovitis, or dermatitis | Kidney problem or rheumatic fever |
|
8 |
Treatment | The doctor will likely prescribe two antibiotics: ceftriaxone and either azithromycin (Zithromax, Zmax) or doxycycline (Monodox, Vibramycin). Ceftriaxone is given as a one-time injection — usually a dose of 250 milligrams (mg). The other two antibiotics are taken by mouth | Antibiotics such as penicillin or erythromycin |
Identify Oral Gonorrhea
Also known as pharyngeal gonorrhea is defined as an STD infection of the pharynx with Gram-negative coccal-shaped (round) bacteria named Neisseria gonorrhea. Men having sex with other men are more susceptible to having oral Gonorrhea.
Oral Gonorrhea can appear on the throat, the area inside the mouth, on tongue, lips etc. It appears as follows
Gonorrhea in throat
This includes strep throat like symptoms
- Sore throat
- Redness in throat
- swollen lymph nodes in the neck
Gonorrhea appearing on the mouth
Besides, the symptoms in the throat resembling strep throat. Occasionally, one may have some white spots or whitish/yellow discharge.
Gonorrhea on tongue
Symptoms
- Spots appear on the tongue
- Often yellow thrush of the infection is also been observed
Gonorrhea on Tonsils
In rare cases, when left untreated Gonorrhea can cause ‘Gonococcal tonsillitis’
Gonorrhea in Eye
Symptoms
- In babies, gonorrhea most commonly affects the eyes
- In adults, in rare cases, gonorrhea affects the eyes causing them to turn reddish followed by irritation
Can gonorrhea be transmitted through kissing?
Yes, but in very few cases. A White/yellowish pus-like fluid or discharge appearing from the throat containing N. gonorrhea bacteria from the infected person. This discharge is caused by N. gonorrhea bacterium inflaming the local tissue mixes with the person’s mucous membrane (also located in and around the throat and nose area)
Oral gonorrhea treatment
The infection inside the mouth can be treated using over-the-counter ointments. To heal the cause of, Gonorrhea you require the following medications.
Gonorrhea is treated only with the ceftriaxone injection in combination with either azithromycin or doxycycline.
Does oral gonorrhea clear on its own?
The answer is “No” in 99% of cases. There was an experiment carried out by New England University where among 28 asymptomatically infected men followed without treatment for seven to 165 days, 18 remained asymptomatic carriers of N. gonorrhea. There were cases of gonorrhea getting clear on its own. Although 18 remained asymptomatic carries.
In the case of women, most women with gonorrhea are asymptomatic. Even when a woman has symptoms, they are often so mild and nonspecific that they are mistaken for a bladder or vaginal infection.
When left untreated for a longer time it can harm fertility and increase the risk for HIV transmission. Asymptomatic or not why take chances, visit an STD testing center nearby to get peace of mind.
References
Gonorrhea – Article 5, annexure 4, thesis for Ph.d
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2019/0115/p77.html : Gonorhea causing ‘Gonococcal tonsillitis’
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3326851/ : Gonorrhea affecting the eyes